TORONTO, July 23, 2008-

STOTT PILATES® extends its enthusiastic congratulations to Master Instructor Trainer PJ O’Clair, the owner, president and educational director of New England-based Northeast Pilates, who has been honored with the 2008 IDEA Program Director of the Year Award for outstanding achievement in fitness.

Presented annually by the IDEA Health and Fitness Association, the world’s largest membership organization of health and fitness professionals, the award recognizes a fitness professional who is a healthy role model, demonstrates professional commitment through community and industry involvement, inspires staff through creativity and leadership, and influences active and underactive people to commit to a healthy lifestyle through successful, creative and diverse programming. O’Clair received the award at the IDEA World Fitness Convention held in Las Vegas from July 8-12.

O’Clair has more than 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and for 10 years has been a Master Instructor Trainer with STOTT PILATES, training and certifying instructors in the STOTT PILATES method. A sought-after instructor and educational workshop presenter, she is featured and has been actively involved in the development of more than 25 STOTT PILATES DVDs including the recently-released consumer title Prenatal Pilates on the Ball and the professional title Breast Cancer Rehab on Equipment. She has been published in PilatesStyle magazine as well as the IDEA Fitness Journal, and counts fashion designer Sigrid Olsen among her many Pilates clients.

A native of the Boston area, O’Clair established Northeast Pilates in 1998. Today, with locations in Boston, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine, Northeast Pilates is New England’s largest offering of STOTT PILATES certification, education, and programming for Pilates instructors and enthusiasts of all levels and ages.

“Teaching is my passion – I have always found it incredibly meaningful to unite people for a bigger purpose like health and wellness, including the many charitable causes I actively support through fitness initiatives,” said O’Clair, who has a keen interest in Pilates instruction for aging adults, breast cancer patients and pre- and post-natal women. “I feel blessed to have received this level of recognition from the fitness community.”

“PJ is a gifted and inspiring fitness professional who has made tremendous contributions to Pilates and to the broader world of fitness and health,” said Lindsay G. Merrithew, co-founder of STOTT PILATES and its President and CEO. “This award recognizes the talent, energy and sheer excellence she brings to her passion for fitness and models so admirably for others.”

Adds Moira Merrithew, co-founder and Executive Director of Education at STOTT PILATES, “PJ is such an important part of our education team. Her creativity, enthusiasm and passion make her a joy to work with and an excellent and talented instructor.”

“PJ is an incredibly talented and versatile program director and business owner. She has been one of IDEA’s top presenters for many years and has also been an IDEA State Representative,” said Peter Davis, CEO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association. “PJ is one of those rare individuals who can do it all in the fitness industry – she can teach, create new programs, lead and manage. We are proud to have her represent IDEA as the 2008 Program Director of the Year.”

About STOTT PILATES

STOTT PILATES, a subsidiary of the Merrithew Corporation, is the only full-service organization of its kind providing high-caliber pilates education, videos and equipment worldwide. Founded in Toronto in 1988 by Lindsay G. Merrithew and Moira Merrithew, the company’s mission is to promote the benefits of mind-body fitness worldwide. Visit www.stottpilates.com